The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Host H.E. Majid Al Ghurair

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The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSIW), in partnership with the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, had the honor of hosting His Excellency Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and CEO of Al Ghurair Group, for a roundtable breakfast in Washington, D.C.  The purpose of Friday’s breakfast, titled “Lessons on Building an Innovation Hub: Dubai as a Nexus City,” was to highlight Dubai’s successful growth strategy as a global business hub and to engage the audience about the possibilities of transferring this success to the region. H.E. Al Ghurair was welcomed by Ambassador Marcelle Wahba, President of AGSIW, Alexis Serfaty, Vice President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, and over ninety guests from the greater Washington business community.

In his introductory remarks, Mr. Serfaty highlighted the role the U.A.E. has played over the last decade by establishing itself as a regional hub for doing business in the wider Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. “The U.A.E.’s business-friendly environment, in particular, Dubai’s diversified economy and state-of-the-art infrastructure, enables the success of a range of sectors with special interest to the U.S.,” said Mr. Serfaty. “This includes aerospace, logistics, tourism, healthcare, and services that are beneficial to U.S. companies looking to expand their businesses into untapped markets.”

H.E. Al Ghurair subsequently discussed Dubai’s robust economy and its success in mitigating economic adversity. “Among the key ingredients for Dubai’s success has been the government’s ability to work closely with the private sector on mega projects and major initiatives. This special relationship has facilitated seamless integration between government and business, and enhanced the emirate’s competitiveness,” said H.E. Al Ghurair. “The government’s unique business-focused approach to policy and its strong focus on public-private partnerships have enabled it to realize its ambitions.”

Ambassador Marcelle Wahba, President of The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington; His Excellency Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Alexis Serfaty, Vice President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council

After H.E. Al Ghurair’s keynote remarks, Ambassador Wahba moderated a thought-provoking discussion about lessons Dubai can offer to its GCC neighbors on harnessing creativity, innovation, and growth; the potential of debt markets after assessing Dubai’s mechanisms of financial governance; the balancing act between Dubai’s government and private-sector entities; and the Emirate’s vision of future state infrastructure investments.

“The Dubai success story has created a model that many would like to copy. Dubai has been at the forefront of efforts to increase youth inclusion and opportunity through its programs for startups and SMEs, and its promotion of young leaders to ministerial positions at the federal and emirate level,” said Ambassador Wahba. “Dubai continues to break new barriers in infrastructure, services, and innovation, in an effort to become the world’s smartest City.”

Please see below for more information about AGSIW and H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair.

The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington


The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSIW), launched in 2015, is an independent, nonprofit institution dedicated to increasing the understanding and appreciation of the social, economic, and political diversity of the Gulf Arab states. Through expert research, analysis, exchanges, and public discussion, the institute seeks to encourage thoughtful debate and inform decision makers shaping U.S. policy regarding this critical geostrategic region.

www.agsiw.org

About H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair


H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair serves as chairman of the board of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the chief executive officer and director of Al Ghurair Group of Companies, LLC. He also serves as the chairman of SHUAA Capital and Gulf Finance Corp. Additionally, he served as chairman of Drake & Scull International PJSC until September 10, 2017, and as the chairman of IGI Insurance Limited.  Al Ghurair has been a director of NASDAQ Dubai Limited since June 2010 and National Cement Company since 1997. He served as a director of Emaar Properties PJSC, Damas International Limited, Dubai Financial Market, and the National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah. He was awarded the Business Leader Personality of the Year 2004 in the United Arab Emirates by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, UAE vice president and prime minister, and ruler of Dubai. Al Ghurair earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Al Ain University of Science and Technology.

http://www.alghurair.com/
http://www.dubaichamber.com/